madbaker: (Paul the Samurai)
madbaker ([personal profile] madbaker) wrote2007-06-25 07:05 am

His Nibs

This week's Resolution Recipe: Nibby Pecan Cookies.

1 cup pecan halves
1/2 lb (two sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp bourbon (I used dark rum)
2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa nibs
2 cups flour

Heat the oven to 325. Spread the pecans on a cookie sheet and toast for 7-8 minutes, until fragrant and lightly colored. Let cool, then chop.

Combine the butter, salt, sugar, booze, and vanilla in a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer on high until smooth and creamy, but not fluffy - about one minute. Stir in the pecans and nibs. Add all the flour and stir in until incorporated. (The dough whisk from King Arthur works brilliantly for this.)

Form the dough into a 12" log about two inches thick. Wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Heat oven to 350. Cut the cold dough into 1/4" thick slices, place slices 1 1/2" apart and bake for 12-15 minutes, until they are light golden brown on the edges. Let them firm on the pans for a minute before transferring to a rack. Let cool completely; store in an airtight container.

What worked: These were really good, especially with a bit of vanilla ice cream. Even the raw dough was fabulous - like what chocolate chip cookie dough wants to grow up to be.

What didn't: I sliced them too thick, so I had to bake them quite a bit longer.

Will I make it again? Definitely, although if [livejournal.com profile] bonacorsi has her way they won't make it to the oven. She prefers cookie sushi.

What I'm reading: Paul Kearney, This Forsaken Earth

[identity profile] ornerie.livejournal.com 2007-06-25 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
choclate and pecans together is one of my favorite combos. and with rum? mmmm.....

I may need to bookmark this for christmas baking!

[identity profile] vitrarius.livejournal.com 2007-06-25 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
What's a cocoa nib? ;-)
Sounds like SF drug slang to me.

[identity profile] madbaker.livejournal.com 2007-06-25 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Cacao Nibs (http://www.scharffenberger.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NIBBX) are perfectly roasted cocoa beans separated from their husks and broken into small bits. They are the essence of chocolate. Nibs add crunchiness and subtle chocolate flavor to baked goods and savory dishes. They make a great substitute for roasted nuts or chocolate chips, without added sweetness."